Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Nitrogen Sources on growth and nutrient uptake of Maize in soil of Minna

Abstract

screen house experiment was carried out at Federal University of Technology, Minna, in the cropping season of 2021 to determine the response of maize to different sources of Nitrogen and AMF in soil of Minna. Soil samples were obtained from Teaching and Research Farm, Gidan Kwano Campus at a depth of 0 – 15cm with the aid of sterilized auger. Prior to treatment, seeds of AMANA-1 Maize variety were sown at the rate of 4 seeds per pot and later thinned to two seedlings after one week of planting. At day 1 of planting, pots were treated with basal application of 200 ml hydroponic nutrient solution per pot and seedlings were watered daily except when hydroponic nutrient solution was applied. Plants were then treated as follows: Soil N at the rate of 0 Kg N ha-1 (control), Poultry N at the rate of 60 Kg N ha-1 (0.22 g per 2 Kg soil) and Urea N at the rate of 60 Kg N ha-1 (0.1g per 2 Kg soil)] and 3 AMF sources [No AMF (control), Native AMF and Elite AMF species (Glomus intaradices) inoculated at the rate of 1 ml per plant]. Treatments were replicated 3x and fitted to a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Plants were harvested at 6 weeks after planting. Data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) where significant difference were observed at 5% probability level. Result obtained showed that apart from shoot N and P, growth of maize was not significantly affected by the interaction between Nitrogen and AMF sources. Shoot P was highest when soil N (control) interacted with no AMF or when poultry N interacted with no AMF implying that AMANA-1 is P efficient. Regardless of AMF sources, combinations with poultry N produced the highest shoot N content signifying that Poultry Manure supplied more nitrogen to the maize plant especially in association with Glomus Interadices. Therefore, if the farmer’s choice is AMANA-1, there will be no need for inoculating maize with AMF to achieve significant increase in shoot P content but there will be a need for application of poultry manure if significant shoot N content must be achieved.